1. To receive a report by the District Councillor
Hugh Hamilton provided an update on the activities of the District Council.
• A review of the Air Quality Management Area was ongoing.
• Wychavon’s draft accounts were now available to view online.
• Worcestershire’s Viewpoint survey gives residents a say on local public services and is available to complete online: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/viewpoint

2. To receive a report by the County Councillor
Peter Tomlinson provided an update on the activities of the County Council.
• A ‘top 5’ issues update was circulated.
• Transport planning discussions were ongoing regarding potential future infrastructure improvements.
• Peter Tomlinson had been elected Vice-Chairman of Worcestershire County Council.

Issues with the new 30mph speed limit through Wychbold were reported. It was noted that vegetation impinging on the speed limit terminal signs had now been cut back and that a traffic monitoring survey was being undertaken in the 50mph section between Wychbold and Upton Warren.

3. To receive a report by the Police
Tony Carter provided an update on Police matters.
• The Police’s Crime Prevention Officer, Mike Stephenson, would be in touch with the Parish Council regarding the break-ins at the allotments.
• The Police were increasing patrols and working closely with housing authorities in response to reported anti-social behaviour issues.
• Anti-social behaviour issues were reported in Jasmine Gardens and Saxon Way; the Police encouraged residents to report matters directly to them and they would review.

4. To receive a report by the Village Hall Committee
An update was given on the activities of the Village Hall Committee.
• A new committee member had been recruited.
• An application was being prepared for Wychavon District Council’s localism panel for various village hall improvements.

5. Public participation
A resident raised concerns regarding planning application 18/00981 (Swan Garage) as it was felt that this would increase HGV movements through the village to the detriment of air quality.

A resident queried if the five-a-side pitch would still be available following the setting up of the work site for the playing field improvements; it was confirmed that this would still be available for use.

The meeting resumed following the open session.

6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 8th May 2018.
The minutes were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

7. Progress reports

1. Road adoption
It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to the relevant housing developers to urge completion of road adoption as soon as possible.

2. Affordable housing statistics
It was confirmed that there were 176 properties managed by Fortis Living and 9 shared ownership properties within the parish.

3. Insurance claim (damaged doors/windows)
The insurance claim has been successful and the necessary repair work would be arranged by the Clerk.

4. Stoke Road HGV access issues and request for bollards
Peter Tomlinson offered to fund the installation of bollards to protect the highway verge in Stoke Road from HGV overrun. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Worcestershire County Council to request that more substantial bollards are considered.

8. Playing field and Allotments

1. To consider the pitch hire agreement
A meeting had been arranged with Wychbold Football Club and the Football Association on the 13th June 2018.

2. To consider access and parking arrangements for the allotments
It was agreed to defer consideration until the working group had been established.

3. To consider security arrangements at the allotments
It was agreed to liaise with the Police over improved security arrangements.

4. To set up an allotments working group and appoint representatives
It was agreed to establish a Working Group and a regular update would be provided at future meetings. Sue Howarth agreed to join the Working Group.

9. Correspondence

1. To consider the South Worcestershire Development Plan call for housing sites consultation.
No comments.

10. Planning

1. 18/00934/HP – 4 School Road, Wychbold, WR9 7PU. Single storey rear and side extension.
It was agreed to raise no objections.

2. 18/00981/FUL – Swan Garage, Worcester Road, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove, B61 7ES. Existing canopy to be raised from 3.5m to 5.1m.
It was agreed to object to the application as it was felt that the increase in height could generate additional HGV movements to the detriment of air quality through the village.

3. 18/00977/FUL – Chateau Impney Hotel, Impney, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0BN. Change of use of agricultural building to B1 (Business), B2 (General Industrial), B8 (Storage and Distribution) and Sui Generis selling and/or displaying of motor vehicles.
It was agreed to object to the application as it was felt that this was unnecessary development of the green belt.

4. 18/00649/ADV – Aztec Adventure, Worcester Road, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove, B61 7ER. Pole mounted sign, flags and hoarding sign (non-illuminated).
It was agreed to object to the application as it was felt that the proposed sign was too large for the location.

5. 18/00041/FUL – Erection of New Industrial Units for B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage and Distribution) uses. Land Adjacent Corbett Business Park Shaw Lane Stoke Prior Worcestershire.
It was agreed to object to the application due to concern over HGV access. It was felt that the rail bridge on Stoke Road / Shaw Lane restricts access for taller vehicles and this already causes difficulty for a number of HGV drivers who, unable to progress under the bridge, find themselves unable to turn around. Alternative routes that avoid the low bridge are also not ideal for larger vehicles. It was also felt that the transport issues would be exacerbated by the increasing levels of traffic generated by the proposed 202 houses on the nearby Polymer Latex site.

6. Neighbourhood Development Plan
It was agreed to invite Wychavon District Council to the next meeting to give a presentation on Neighbourhood Development Plans.

11. Parish matters for discussion/decision

1. Lengthsman
No work was requested.

2. Public Rights of Way
No issues were reported.

3. Litter
It was noted that a community litter pick was being arranged for the summer holidays.

It was agreed to write to Liberty Leisure to ask for their assistance in keeping the area tidy.

4. Anti-Social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour issues were reported in Jasmine Gardens and Saxon Way; the Police encouraged residents to report matters directly to them and they would review.

5. Dog fouling
Additional ‘no fouling’ signs were considered.

It was agreed to clarify the wording used on Wychavon District Council’s signs, in particular whether they could more closely follow the signs used in Bromsgrove.

6. Newsletter
Adam Joynes and Sue Howarth would continue work on the proposed newsletter.

7. Notice boards
It was agreed to purchase four replacement A1 notice boards, including one for the allotments, costs not exceeding £1200.00 total.

8. Smartwater
It was agreed that surplus ‘Smartwater’ kits could be sold to a neighbouring Parish Council.

9. Playing field improvements
An update was received from the Steering Group.

Work was starting on site and a programme of work had been produced. It was envisaged that the work would take seven weeks with completion and handover by the end of July 2018.

It was agreed to pursue planning permission for the extension of the village hall car park (currently the children’s play area). Additional quotes for this element of the work would be pursued.

It was agreed that the current children’s play area equipment could be donated; potentially Westlands First School may be interested.

13. To consider and approve budget expenditure
Budget expenditure was considered and approved.

14. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
The bank reconciliation was considered and approved.

15. To approve and sign forms to remove signatories from the bank mandate
The forms were approved and signed.

16. To consider and approve the internal auditor’s report
The internal auditor’s report was considered and it was noted that there were no recommendations requiring action.

17. To consider and approve the Annual Governance Statement for the external auditor
The Annual Governance Statements were considered individually. All statements were agreed in the affirmative and the statement was signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

18. To consider and approve the Statement of Accounts for the external auditor
The Statement of Accounts was considered and agreed by the Council and was signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

13. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was agreed to send a copy of the minutes to prospective Parish Councillors.

The following items were agreed for the next agenda:
• Dog fouling signs and bins
• Facebook page update
• Allotments Working Group
• NDP (Wychavon District Council presentation)
• Obstruction of watercourses

14. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled Parish Council meeting is 7:30PM on Monday 2nd July 2018.